Upcoming Changes from Companies House: What's Next?
Companies House is undergoing significant reforms aimed at enhancing corporate transparency, improving data accuracy, and combating economic crime. Introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, these changes will impact businesses of all sizes.
On 4th March 2024, the first set of changes came into effect with mandatory identity verification for directors and persons with significant control, the requirement for companies to provide a registered email address, and stricter rules for registered office addresses. Read more about these changes here.
With more changes to announced for 2025, here is an overview of what’s coming:
1. Register of Overseas Entities
As of 28th February 2025, entities can apply to protect their trust member details if they meet specific criteria. Additionally, from 31 August 2025, information related to trusts on the Register of Overseas Entities will be made available upon request.
It is worth bearing in mind that since 1st August 2022, the Economic Crime Act has required overseas entities who want to buy, sell or transfer property or land in the UK to register with Companies House and state their registerable beneficial owners or managing officers. Those who do not comply are liable to face serious consequences such as financial penalties, restrictions or prosecution.
2. Authorised Corporate Service Providers
Starting 18th March 2025, third-party providers intending to conduct identity verification checks on behalf of clients must register as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). To become an ACSP, agents must be supervised within the UK by a relevant Anti-Money Laundering supervisory authority such as HMRC and The Insolvency Practitioners Association.
Future changes will also require businesses to register in order to be able to file on behalf of clients. In order to register your business as an ACSP, you will need to pay a £55 registration fee and use the ‘Apply to register as a Companies House authorised agent’ service on the Companies House website.
3. Identity Verification
From spring 2025, a phased introduction of identity verification will commence. Individuals wanting to set up, run, own, or control a company in the UK will need to verify their identity using ID documents through the ‘GOV.UK One Login’ or through an ACSP.
Currently, the identity verification process is not compulsory. However, from 8th April 2025, individuals will be able to voluntarily verify their identity directly to Companies House using the ‘GOV.UK One Login’.
4. Protecting Personal Information
As of 27th January 2025, individuals can apply to suppress their registered office address from historical documents if it was their home address. And from spring/summer 2025, individuals can apply to suppress further personal information such as:
- day of birth for documents registered before 10 October 2015 (only the month and year of birth have been publicly displayed since 10 October 2015)
- signatures
- business occupation
In addition, individuals at personal risk of physical violence due to their personal information being on the Companies House public register will be able to apply to have their information protected from public view.
Looking Forward to 2026…
From Spring 2026, limited partnerships will need to file their information through Authorised Corporate Service Providers and will need to file additional information. Companies House has announced further changes to improve transparency in company ownership, requiring additional shareholder information, as well as transitioning to a digital accounts filing system however there has been no date set for implementation yet.
About Arnold Hill & Co LLP
Arnold Hill & Co LLP is an accountancy and tax firm who have been delivering tailored accountancy services for over a century. Based in the heart of London, the firm is built on strong, lasting relationships and combine tradition with a forward thinking approach to meet the evolving needs of clients, both across the UK and internationally. The firm advise a range of clients ranging from UHNWI’s, family offices and entrepreneurs to growing businesses and multinational groups.
Siún Lyons - Company Secretary